Fethiye Times Guide – DIY Turkish Vehicle Visa Part 1

Our step by step DIY guide explains how. In part 1 we introduce the new system.

A new vehicle testing regime began, in Fethiye at least, on 1 January 2009.

Our guide explains in two parts what, where, why and when you need to obtain a new Turkish vehicle visa (MOT)

In this part 1 we introduce the new system.

In part 2 we’ll explain the ‘How’

What is the Turkish Vehicle Visa?

Just like the UK MOT the Turkish traffic laws require certain vehicles on the road to be tested from time to time.

This test should not come as a shock to British expats who have been used to a similar system in the UK.

The name in Turkish for the test is “Ara埍uayenesi”

Vehicle paper work including valid insurance and road worthiness are part of the test.

How often does my vehicle need to be tested?

For cars, motor bikes and scooters the test is due 3 years after the first registration date then every 2 years

For vans and van derived cars (Fiat Doblo, Citroen Berlingo, Ford Tourneo etc) the test is due 1 year after first registration and then every year after that.

What Paperwork will I Need?

You will need:

1. Traffic registration document

2. Traffic Form (The other small form where the visa is noted)

[span class=alert]NOTE – Make sure you have free space for the new visa sticker to be placed or you’ll have to obtain a new Traffic form from the Trafik Police in Patlangic. The old forms only had three spaces but the new forms have six spaces meaning the new form will last longer before renewal is required.[/span]

3. Valid Third Party insurance certificate (trafik Sigortasi)

4. Emissions testing stamp if applicable to your vehicle.

Interestingly your driving licence is not checked at any stage during the process.

You will also need to ensure that you don’t have any tax or fines outstanding. You can do that at the tax office or online. The testing station has online access to the tax records so no paperwork needs to be produced.

What’s Tested?

The test is comprehensive and covers the following main items (in English and then Turkish):

There are additional requirements for specialist vehicles such as taxis, busses etc not listed.

What is included in the Emergency/Safety Equipment?

All vehicles, excluding scooters and motor bikes, must carry:

– One first aid kit including:

* Large bandage (10 cm x 3-5 m), 2 pcs

* Sterile absorbent gas (10×10 cm, 50 boxes), 1 Box

* Triangular bandage, 3 pcs

* Antiseptic solution (50 ml), 1 Piece

* Plaster (2 cm x 5 m), 1 Piece

* Safety Pin, 10 Pieces

* Small scissors (stainless steel), 1 Piece

* Bandage, 1 Piece

* Wound Pad (at least 50 cm, woven textile material), 1 Piece

* Plasters , 10 Piece

* Burn Plaster , 1 piece

* Medical Gloves , 2 pairs

* Torch, 1 Piece

– Two warning triangles– One Fire extinguisher suitable for the vehicle size.– One spare tyre to within the legal tyre tread depth

For scooters and motorbikes:

A crash helmet with visor or goggles must also be present at the testing station although no type approval for these is required.

How Much Does the Test Cost?

Scooter, motor bike 64.90TL in 2010 (63.72 TL in 2009)

Cars, vans, van derived cars 126.26 TL in 2010 (123.90 TL in 2009)

What are the Fines if I Exceed the Visa Date?

If you don’t renew your visa by the correct time you’ll be fined. This fine is currently 5% of the outstanding test fee per month.

You could also be fined 61 TL and you’re vehicle could be impounded if you are stopped by the Traffic Police or Jandarma and you’re visa is out of date.

Do I need any Separate Tests?

LPG/CNG Powered

If your vehicle is powered by LPG or dual fuel petrol/LPG you’ll need to obtain a gas safety certificate (LPG/CNG Ruhsatı, “Gaz Sızdırmalık Raporu”) more on this in another article coming in February.

Emissions (exhaust) Testing

Eventually the exhaust emission testing will be done at TUV but it isn’t available yet so go to your normal testing station such as the one behind the renualt Garage in Fethiye.

Exhaust emission testing periods are:

Private new cars: at end of first 3 years, thereafter every 2 years.

Offical new cars: at end of first 2 years, thereafter annually.

Documents to be produced for emission testing are:

First test – only car’s registration.

Thereafter registration plus previous emission test cert.

If you miss a test and cannot produce previous emission test document you will be fined.

If you fail you have a month to get emissions fixed and be re-tested for free.

What Happens if my Vehicle Fails the MOT Test?

If your vehicle fails you’ll be issued with a notice, in Turkish of course, explaining the faults that need to be fixed. Some minor faults noted on the resulting report do not result in a ‘fail’. More on this in Part 2 of our guide.

Take this to your garage and get them to quote for and fix the faults.

As long as you return within 1 month of the date of the failure notice you’ll be entitled to a free retest.

Where are the Testing Stations?

Testing stations are located all over Turkey. In some areas mobile testing stations will visit larger towns away from the main testing stations.

For Mugla County they are located in:

– Muğla – Bodrum– Fethiye (Directions to be provided in part 2 of the www.fethiyetimes.com DIY guide)– Marmaris– Milas

For Antalya County they are located in:

– Alanya – Manavgat– Yeşilbayır– Kumluca– Sutler

When are they Open?

Testing stations are open 6 days a week Monday to Saturday from 8:30 to 17:30.

The last customer must be checked in by 16:30 to be tested that day.

Can I Get the Test Done Myself or do I Need to Pay an Agent?

You can do the whole process yourself.

However, you can also pay an agent, or ‘Takipci’ in Turkish, to do it for you in return for a fee if you have a Turkish registered car – not an ‘M’ plated car. However, it is likely that you would need to go with them due to traffic rules for M plated cars.

Finally, our disclaimer applies to this and all our guides and we cannot be held responsible for any errors or ommissions. What works for us one day may not the next!

[important title=Part 2 of the Guide]Part 2 of the Fethiye Times DIY MOT test guide can be found at this link. [/important]

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